Aggregation methods, gnodebs, user equipments and storage medium

ABSTRACT

A gNodeB (gNB) and user equipment (UE) are provided. The gNB includes a transceiver configured to receive physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) via a plurality of slots. The PUCCH occupies at least one physical resource block (PRB) within each of the plurality of slots. The plurality of slots are determined based on a number of slots configured for a transmission of the PUCCH and a slot structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/329,295filed on May 25, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/493,200 filed on Sep. 11, 2019, now issued asU.S. Pat. No. 11,076,390, which is a national phase application of PCTApplication No. PCT/CN2018/076733 filed on Feb. 13, 2018, which claimsthe priority of the U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/471,002, filedon Mar. 14, 2017. The disclosures of these applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of communications,and in particular, to slot/physical resource block (PRB) aggregationmethods, gNodeBs (gNBs), user equipments (UEs) and storage medium.

BACKGROUND

In 5th Generation New Radio (5G NR) system, some new design requirementsemerge. For example, a slot may be split into uplink and downlinkportions. The downlink portion consists of one or several symbols andmay be transmitted from gNB, which is similar to eNodeB (eNB) in the 4thGeneration Long term evolution (LTE), to the UEs at the beginning of theslot. The downlink portion may be followed by a switching period (or aguard period (GP)) where the UEs complete the switching from downlinkreception to uplink transmission. The switching period is followed by anuplink portion where UEs transmit one or several symbols in uplink. Thisnew structure may make the turnaround time less than that of LTE andthus achieve the goal of low latency for NR system. However, as uplinksymbols in such slots are less than that of a full uplink slot where allthe symbols are for uplink transmission, it may impose some challengesin other aspects of the system design, for example, the physical uplinkcontrol channel (PUCCH) coverage.

The information disclosed in the background is only configured toenhance an understanding to the background of the present disclosure,and thus may include information not forming a conventional art known bythose skilled in the art.

SUMMARY

In order to solve the problem in related technology, the presentdisclosure provides a gNB and UE, which may achieve at least the samecoverage of PUCCH as compared with LTE.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a gNB,including: a transceiver configured to receive physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH) via a plurality of slots, the PUCCH occupying at leastone physical resource block (PRB) within each of the plurality of slots,the plurality of slots being determined based on a number of slotsconfigured for a transmission of the PUCCH and a slot structure.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a UE,including: a transceiver configured to send physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH) via a plurality of slots, the PUCCH occupying at leastone physical resource block (PRB) within each of the plurality of slots,the plurality of slots being determined based on a number of slotsconfigured for a transmission of the PUCCH and a slot structure. Theslot structure is sent via a common control channel.

It is to be understood that the above general descriptions and detaileddescriptions below are only exemplary and explanatory and not intendedto limit the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with thepresent disclosure and, together with the specification, serve toexplain the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a flow chart illustrating an aggregation method performedcarried out in a gNB according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1B is a flow chart illustrating an aggregation method carried outin a gNB according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating structures of several slots forcarrying long format PUCCH according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating structures of several slots forcarrying long format PUCCH according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating PRBs in a single slot forcarrying long format PUCCH according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating PRBs across slots for carryinglong format PUCCH according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating PRBs across slots for carryinglong format PUCCH according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating PRBs across slots for carryinglong format PUCCH according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a flow chart illustrating an aggregation method carried outin a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8B is a flow chart illustrating an aggregation method carried outin a UE according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure of an aggregation methodcarried out in a gNB and a UE, which interact with each other, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating configuration of a gNB accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating configuration of a UE accordingto embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating structure of a UE accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary implementation modes will now be described morecomprehensively with reference to the accompanying drawings. However,the exemplary implementation modes may be implemented in various forms,but should not be understood to be limited to examples elaboratedherein; and instead, providing these implementation modes enables thepresent disclosure to convey the concept of the exemplary implementationmodes to those skilled in the art more comprehensively and completely.The accompanying drawings only schematic diagrammatize the presentdisclosure, and may not be drawn to scale. The same accompanying drawingreference signs in the drawings represent the same or similar parts, sothat repeated descriptions about them are eliminated.

In addition, the described characteristics, structures or features maybe combined to one or more implementation modes in any proper manner. Indescriptions made below, many specific details are provided forcompletely understanding the implementation modes of the presentdisclosure. However, those skilled in the art realize that the technicalsolutions of the present disclosure may be practiced with one or more ofthe specified details eliminated, or another method, component, device,operation and the like may be adopted. Under other conditions, a knownstructure, method, device, implementation, material or operation is notshown or described in detail so as to avoid distraction and obscuring ofeach aspect of the present disclosure.

Some block diagrams shown in the accompanying drawings are functionalentities, and are not required to physically or logically correspond toindependent entities. These functional entities may be implemented in asoftware form, or these functional entities may be implemented in one ormore hardware modules or integrated circuits, or these functionalentities may be implemented in different networks and/or processordevices and/or microcontroller devices.

In the 4th Generation Long term evolution (4G LTE) system, PUCCH is usedto carry UCI from a UE to a base station called eNodeB (eNB). The UCIincludes Ack/Nack for the downlink physical downlink shared channel(PDSCH) transmission, the channel state information (CSI) measured by aUE, and scheduling request (SR). The PUCCH may be transmitted inassigned physical resource blocks (PRBs) which are located at the edgesof the bandwidth. The UCI may also be carried by the physical uplinkshared channel (PUSCH) along with the uplink data.

To achieve at least the same coverage of PUCCH as compared with LTE, 5GNR introduces PUCCH with long duration (or PUCCH with long format, orsimply long PUCCH, and hereinafter referred to as long format PUCCH)which targets the same or better coverage of PUCCH as that of LTE. Sincethe uplink symbols in some slots in 5G NR may be less than that in LTE,how to achieve the same or better coverage of PUCCH brings up somechallenges. Slot aggregation is one way to overcome this. Slotaggregation is to aggregate multiple slots for carrying long formatPUCCH so as to reach the same or better coverage as that of LTE.

FIG. 1A is a flow chart illustrating an aggregation method performedcarried out in a gNB according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The method comprises the following operations.

In block S102, the gNB signals information on at least part ofaggregation configuration of one of a set of slots, a set of PRBs in asingle slot, and a set of PRBs across at least two slots to a UE.

In block S104, the gNB receives from the UE a long format PUCCH carriedin the one of the set of slots, the set of PRBs in a single slot, andthe set of PRBs across at least two slots, which is aggregated accordingto the aggregation configuration.

The aggregation configuration may be about one of a set of slots, a setof PRBs in a single slot, and a set of PRBs across at least two slots.

In an embodiment, the aggregation configuration may be of a set ofslots. FIG. 1B is a flow chart illustrating an aggregation methodcarried out in a gNB according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure in case where the aggregation configuration is of a set ofslots. Specifically, the aggregation configuration may include at leastone of a total number of slots to be aggregated for carrying UCI, and astructure of each slot.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the aggregation method may include thefollowing operations.

In block S102′, the gNB may signal information on at least one of: atotal number of slots to be aggregated for carrying UCI, and a structureof each slot to UE.

In block S104′, the gNB may receive PUCCH from the UE via a plurality ofslots aggregated according to the information on the at least one of thetotal number of slots to be aggregated and the structure of each slot.In an embodiment, the PUCCH may be long format PUCCH. Alternatively, thePUCCH may be not long format PUCCH.

In an embodiment, the gNB may further signals information on the firstslot of the slots to be aggregated. In such case, the plurality of slotsmay be aggregated according to the information on the at least one ofthe total number of slots to be aggregated, the structure of each slot,and the information on the first slot of the slots to be aggregated.

In an embodiment, the gNB may receive PUCCH from the UE via aggregatedslots which are aggregated by aggregating a plurality of slots byaggregating one or more PRBs of each slot. In an embodiment, the one ormore PRBs may be positioned in a same manner in the slots. For example,three slots are aggregated, and each slot has four PRBs to beaggregated, and the four PRBs are arranged in the same manner in eachslot. Specifically, for example, in each of the three slots, the fourPRBs may include the 2_(nd), 3^(rd), 4^(th), 6^(th) PRBs. In anotherembodiment, the one or more PRBs may be positioned in different mannersin the slots. For example, three slots are aggregated, and some PRBs ofeach slot may be aggregated. For example, the 1^(st), 2^(nd) and 3^(rd)PRBs in a first slot of the three slots may be aggregated, the 2nd and4th PRBs in a second slot of the three slots may be aggregated, and the5th and 6th PRBs in a third slot of the three slots may be aggregated.It will be understood that the above are only examples, more or lessthan three may be aggregated, and more or less PRBs may be aggregatedfor each slot.

In an embodiment, when the long format PUCCH supports 1 PR×N symbolstime-frequency resources for carrying UCI, the plurality of slots may beaggregated to support about 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequency resources forcarrying UCI, where N is a positive integer.

Alternatively, the aggregation configuration may be of a set of PRBs ina single slot or of a set of PRBs across at least two slots (e.g. twoslots, three slots, or the like). A set of PRBs in a single slot isintended to means that two or more PRBs (e.g. two PRBs, three PRBs, orthe like) are in the same slot.

A set of PRBs across at least two slots is intended to means that two ormore PRBs are distributed in two or more slots. For example, the set ofPRBs across at least two slots totally includes 4 PRBs, and the 4 PRBsare distributed in 3 slots. Specifically, 1 PRB is located in a firstslot of the 3 slots, and 2 PRBs are located in a second slot of the 3slots, and 1 PRB is located in a third slot of the 3 slots. However, itis to be understood that the total number of the PRBs and the totalnumber of the slots are provided as examples, and the total number ofthe PRBs and the total number of the slots may be configured in anothermanner as desired, and the total number of PRB in each slot also may beconfigured in another manner as desired.

At least part of aggregation configuration is intended to means entireaggregation configuration or only a part of aggregation configuration.

In an embodiment, information on at least part of aggregationconfiguration may be intended to refer to at least part of aggregationconfiguration per se.

In such a case, when a set of slots is aggregated for carrying the longformat PUCCH, the gNB may signal in block S102 at least one of the totalnumber of slots to be aggregated, structure of each slot to beaggregated, and total number of symbols to be aggregated for carryingUCI to the UE. In a preferred embodiment, the gNB may signal in blockS102 the total number of slots to be aggregated and the total number ofsymbols to be aggregated for carrying UCI to the UE, and the structureof each slot to be aggregated may be signaled to the UE via a commoncontrol channel.

Alternatively, the gNB may signal in block S102 the total number ofslots to be aggregated to the UE. In such a case, both the structure ofeach slot to be aggregated and total number of symbols to be aggregatedfor carrying UCI may be pre-configured in the UE, or signaled to the UEvia a higher layer signaling, or one of the structure of each slot to beaggregated and total number of symbols to be aggregated may bepre-configured in the UE or signaled to the UE, and the other one may bederived by the UE.

When a set of PRBs in a single slot is aggregated for carrying the longformat PUCCH, in block S102, the gNB may signal at least one of thetotal number of PRBs to be aggregated in the single slot, location ofeach of PRBs to be aggregated in the single slot, and total number ofsymbols to be aggregated for carrying UCI to the UE. Similar to the casewhere the a set of slots is aggregated for carrying the long formatPUCCH, the gNB may signal all of the total number of PRBs to beaggregated in the single slot, location of each of PRBs to be aggregatedin the single slot, and total number of symbols to be aggregated forcarrying UCI to the UE, or signal a part of the total number of PRBs tobe aggregated in the single slot, location of each of PRBs to beaggregated in the single slot, and total number of symbols to beaggregated for carrying UCI to the UE. For example, the gNB may signalthe total number of PRBs to be aggregated in a single slot, total numberof symbols to be aggregated for carrying UCI to the UE, and the locationof each of PRBs to be aggregated may be signaled to the UE via a highersignaling or pre-configured in the UE or derived by the UE.

When a set of PRBs across at least two slots is aggregated for carryingthe long format PUCCH, in block S102, the gNB may signal information ofat least one of the total number of slots to be aggregated, structure ofeach slot to be aggregated, the total number of PRBs to be aggregated ineach slot, location of each of PRBs to be aggregated in each slot, andtotal number of symbols to be aggregated for carrying UCI to the UE.

Similar to the case where the a set of slots is aggregated for carryingthe long format PUCCH, the gNB may signal all of the total number ofslots to be aggregated, structure of each slot to be aggregated, thetotal number of PRBs to be aggregated in each slot, location of each ofPRBs to be aggregated in each slot, and total number of symbols to beaggregated for carrying UCI to the UE, or signal a part of the totalnumber of slots to be aggregated, structure of each slot to beaggregated, the total number of PRBs to be aggregated in each slot,location of each of PRBs to be aggregated in each slot, and total numberof symbols to be aggregated for carrying UCI to the UE. When the gNBsignals a part of the total number of slots to be aggregated, structureof each slot to be aggregated, the total number of PRBs to be aggregatedin each slot, location of each of PRBs to be aggregated in each slot,and total number of symbols to be aggregated for carrying UCI to the UE,the remaining part may be signaled to the UE via a higher signaling orpre-configured in the UE or derived by the UE.

Alternatively, information on at least part of aggregation configurationmay be intended to refer to a signal, such as code, bit, or the like,associated with at least part of aggregation configuration. For example,the information on at least part of aggregation configuration may be anindex of a look-up table to the UE. Here, the look-up table may bepre-configured in the UE or sent to the UE via signaling of a higherlayer and may contain aggregation configurations and their respectiveindices. In such case, in block S102, the gNB may signal the index ofthe look-up table to the UE. Accordingly, the index is received by theUE, the UE may look up the look-up table, which is pre-configured in theUE or sent to the UE via signaling of a higher layer and containsaggregation configurations and their respective indices. Then, the UEcan obtain a corresponding aggregation configuration according to theindex.

When the information on at least part of aggregation configuration isabout a set of slots, the gNB receives in block S104 from the UE a longformat PUCCH carried in the set of slots which is aggregated by the UEaccording to the aggregation configuration. When the information on atleast part of aggregation configuration is about a set of PRBs in asingle slot, the gNB receives in block S104 from the UE a long formatPUCCH carried in the set of PRBs in a single slot, which is aggregatedby the UE according to the aggregation configuration. When theinformation on at least part of aggregation configuration is about a setof PRBs across at least two slots, the gNB receives in block S104 fromthe UE a long format PUCCH carried in the set of PRBs across at leasttwo slots, which is aggregated by the UE according to the aggregationconfiguration.

As described above, the long format PUCCH refers to the PUCCH with longduration (or PUCCH with long format, or simply long PUCCH) in 5G NR.

In block S102, the gNB may signal information on at least part ofaggregation configuration of one of a set of slots, a set of PRBs in asingle slot, and a set of PRBs across at least two slots to a UEdynamically via lower layer signaling, semi-statically via combinationof higher layer signaling, or via a combination of lower layer signalingand higher layer signaling.

In other words, the signaling may be either of higher layer signaling orlower layer of signaling or combination of both. Some of suchinformation like slot structure may also be conveyed through commonchannels such as common control channel. Some of the information may bepre-configured in a UE or may be implicitly derived by a UE. Such slotaggregation combinations for long PUCCH may be configured and signaledto UE. As the slot structures allocated in the system may be determinedmore dynamically, such configuration of slot aggregation may be signaleddynamically, for example, using DCI. Alternatively, if the slot formatsmay be allocated in a more semi-static way, such slot aggregationconfiguration may also be signaled semi-statically by using higher layersignals.

When the long format PUCCH supports 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequencyresources for carrying UCI, the one of the set of slots, the set of PRBsin a single slot, and the set of PRBs across at least two slots may beaggregated to support about 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequency resources forcarrying UCI, where N is a positive integer.

Specifically, when a set of slots is aggregated, the aggregated set ofslots may support about 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequency resources forcarrying UCI. When a set of PRBs in a single slot is aggregated, theaggregated set of slots may support about 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequencyresources for carrying UCI. When a set of slots is aggregated, theaggregated set of PRBs across at least two slots may support about 1PRB×N symbols time-frequency resources for carrying UCI.

Here, N may vary depending on long format PUCCH.

Similar to LTE, a couple of PUCCH formats may be defined in 5G NR. Eachof the defined PUCCH formats may carry different type of UCI and havedifferent payload. For example, a first long format PUCCH (hereafteralso referred to as NR PUCCH of format 1) similar as PUCCH format1/1a/1b in LTE may be defined which may carry 1-2 bits of Ack/Nack fordownlink PDSCH transmission. In LTE, PUCCH format 1/1a/1b is transmittedin a subframe of 14 symbols, in which 6 symbols of 14 symbols are usedto carry RS, and 8 symbols of the 14 symbols are used to carry UCI(specifically, Ack/Nack). To match that, the NR PUCCH of format 1supports about 8 symbols for carrying UCI.

In addition to the NR PUCCH of format 1, other types of PUCCH formatsalso need to be supported which may carry more payload than 1-2 bits.For example, a NR PUCCH of format 2 may be defined which may carry apayload of about 20 coded bits. The content of the NR PUCCH of format 2may include Ack/Nack for multiple codewords and/or other types of UCIsuch as CSI. For LTE PUCCH format 1/1a/1b, 10 symbols are used to carryUCI and 4 symbols are used to carry RS. Therefore, to match that, the NRPUCCH of format 2 supports about 10 symbols for carrying UCI.

When the long format PUCCH is NR PUCCH of format 1, N may be 8, and whenthe long format PUCCH is NR PUCCH of format 2, N may be 10. It is to beunderstood that the long format PUCCH may be another long format PUCCH,and accordingly, N may be another value at least partially depending onthe long format PUCCH.

The technical solutions provided in the present disclosure may achievethe following beneficial effects. According to some embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the gNB signals information on at least part ofaggregation configuration of one of a set of slots, a set of PRBs in asingle slot, and a set of PRBs across at least two slots to a UE, andthen the gNB receives from the UE a long format PUCCH carried in the oneof the set of slots, the set of PRBs in a single slot, and the set ofPRBs across at least two slots, which is aggregated according to theaggregation configuration. As such, the aggregation method may achieveat least the same coverage of PUCCH as compared with LTE.

Various embodiments will be provided below with reference to FIGS. 2-7 .

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating structures of several slots forcarrying long format PUCCH according to an embodiment. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 2 , the following description is made with respect to theNR PUCCH of format 1. It is to be understood, NR PUCCH of format 1 isused as an example, and the slots shown in FIG. 2 may be aggregated forany other long format PUCCH.

As shown in FIG. 2 , there are three slots, i.e., slot 202, slot 204 andslot 206. Each of slots 202, 204 and 206 has a different structure.

In each of slots 202, 204 and 206, the rectangle with oblique linesrepresents a symbol for carrying RS, the gray color rectangle representsa symbol for carrying UCI, the rectangle with dots represents a symbolfor carrying downlink, and the white color rectangle represents a symbolfor switching period. This description about the rectangles will alsoapply to FIGS. 3-7 .

As described above, during the switching period (or GP), a UE completesswitching from downlink reception to uplink transmission.

Slot 202 includes 3 symbols for carrying RS and 4 symbols for carryingUCI. Slot 204 includes 1 symbol for carrying downlink, 1 symbol forswitching period, 3 symbols for carrying UCI and 2 symbols for carryingRS. Slot 206 include 2 symbols for carrying downlink, 1 symbol forswitching period, 2 symbols for carrying UCI and 2 symbols for carryingRS. However, it can be understood that the above numbers are onlyexamples, and other structures of slots may be adopted.

For the convenience, the long format PUCCH carried in the slotstructures as shown in FIG. 2 are summarized in Table 1. In Table 1,parameters include slot No., total number of available uplink symbolsfor long format PUCCH, number of symbols for RS and number of symbolsfor UCI.

TABLE 1 Total number of Number Number available uplink of symbols ofsymbols Slot No. symbols for RS for UCI 202 7 3 4 204 5 2 3 206 4 2 2

As described above, in LTE, PUCCH format 1/1a/1b is transmitted in asubframe of 14 symbols, in which 6 symbols are used to carry RS, and 8symbols are used to carry UCI (specifically, Ack/Nack). To match that,the NR PUCCH of format 1 needs to support about 8 symbols for carryingUCI.

Specifically, as coverage is one of the targets for using a long formatPUCCH, for example, Discrete Fourier Transform Spread OrthogonalFrequency Division Multiplexed (DFT-S-OFDM) waveform may be used whichwill have lower peak-to-average-power-ratio/cubic metric (PAPR/CM) andtherefore requires less power back-off at UE side. For this PUCCHformat, Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK)/Quadrature Phase Shift Keying(QPSK) modulation may be used to generate one modulated symbol (for 1-2bits). The modulated symbols may be spread by orthogonal orquasi-orthogonal sequences of length 12 and mapped along frequency ontoa symbol in a PRB. Multiple Ack/Nack bits may be multiplexed on the samesymbol using different orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal sequences. Thespread sequences may be repeated across different symbols in a slot tosupport power boosting and improve the spreading gains, which in the endmay lead to improved coverage of PUCCH. As different slot may havedifferent number of uplink symbols, it may be hard to apply spreadingfurther in time direction using orthogonal cover code (OCC). One reasonmay be the total number of uplink symbol for UCI in one slot may be anodd number. The other reason is when using slot aggregation, the uplinksymbols in different slots may vary and therefore may not support thesame number of PUCCH multiplexing. However, the aggregation methodaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure can solve theproblem.

As can seen from FIG. 2 , the total number of uplink symbols indifferent slot structures may vary. Different slot combination may beconsidered in slot aggregation for the NR PUCCH of format 1. Table 2shows some aggregation configuration examples of slots 202, 204 and 206for NR PUCCH of format 1.

TABLE 2 Slot aggregation (value is the total number of Index of slotuplink symbols of the slot and is Total number of aggregation used toindicate the slot structure uplink symbols configuration in theaggregation) for UCI 1 7 + 7 4 + 4 = 8 2 7 + 5 4 + 3 = 7 3 7 + 5 + 4 4 +3 + 2 = 9 4 7 + 4 + 4 4 + 2 + 2 = 8 5 5 + 5 + 5 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 6 5 + 5 +4 3 + 3 + 2 = 8 7 5 + 4 + 4 3 + 2 + 2 = 7 8 7 + 5 + 4 + 4 4 + 3 + 2 + 2= 11 9 7 + 4 + 4 + 4 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 10 10 5 + 5 + 4 + 4 3 + 3 + 2 + 2 =10 11 5 + 4 + 4 + 4 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 9 12 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8

As show in Table 2, for index 1 of slot aggregation configuration, 7+7as shown in the second column means that two slots 202 are aggregated,and each of the two slots includes 4 symbols for UCI, and thus totalnumber of uplink symbols for UCI is 4+4=8 as shown in the third column.For index 2 of slot aggregation configuration, 7+5 as shown in thesecond column means that slot 202 and slot 204 are aggregated, and slot202 includes 4 symbols for UCI and slot 204 includes 3 symbols for UCI,and thus total number of uplink symbols for UCI is 4+3=7 as shown in thethird column. Similar description may be applied to each of the indices3-12 of slot aggregation configuration, and thus detailed description onthese indices of slot aggregation configuration is omitted. From Table2, it can be observed that total number of uplink symbols for UCI mayrange from 7 to 11, which is close to 8 as used in the PUCCH format1/1a/1b of LTE. As such, the aggregation method according to theembodiment of the present disclosure can support about the same numberof UCI as that in LTE PUCCH format 1/1a/1b.

It is to be noted that the aggregation configurations shown in Table 2are only examples and actual aggregation configuration is not limited tothe aggregation configurations shown in Table 2, and that the two ormore of slots 202-206 may aggregated in another way, as long as thetotal number of uplink symbols for UCI can support about enough (e.g, 8in case of NR PUCCH of format 1) symbols for UCI.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating structures of several slots forcarrying long format PUCCH according to another embodiment. As shown inFIG. 3 , in the set of slots, there are fewer symbols for RS while moresymbols for UCI compared to the set of slots shown in FIG. 2 . In theembodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the following description is made withrespect to the NR PUCCH of format 1 and the NR PUCCH of format 2. It isto be understood, the NR PUCCH of format 1 and the NR PUCCH of format 2are taken as examples, and the slots shown in FIG. 3 may be aggregatedfor other long format PUCCH.

As shown in FIG. 3 , there are three slots, i.e., slot 302, slot 304,and slot 306. In each of slots 302, 304 and 306, the rectangle withoblique lines represents a symbol for carrying RS, the gray colorrectangle represents a symbol for carrying UCI, the rectangle with dotsrepresents a symbol for carrying downlink, and the white color rectanglerepresents a symbol for switching period. Slot 302 includes 5 symbolsfor carrying UCI, and 2 symbols for carrying RS. Slot 304 includes 1symbol for carrying downlink, 1 symbol for switching period, 3 symbolsfor carrying UCI and 2 symbols for carrying RS. Slot 306 include 2symbols for carrying downlink, 1 symbol for switching period, 3 symbolsfor carrying UCI and 1 symbol for carrying RS. However, it is to beunderstood that the above numbers are only examples, and otherstructures of slots may be adopted.

For the convenience, the long format PUCCH carried in the slotstructures as shown in FIG. 2 are summarized in Table 3. In Table 3,parameters include slot No., total number of available uplink symbolsfor long PUCCH, number of symbols for RS and number of symbols for UCI.

TABLE 3 Total number of Number Number available uplink of symbols ofsymbols Slot No. symbols for RS for UCI 1 7 2 5 2 5 2 3 3 4 1 3

As can seen from FIG. 3 , the total number of uplink symbols indifferent slot structure may vary. Different slot combination may beconsidered in slot aggregation for the NR PUCCH of format 1. Table 4shows some aggregation configuration examples of slots 202, 204 and 206for NR PUCCH of format 1.

TABLE 4 Slot aggregation (value is the total number of Index of slotuplink symbols of the slot and is Total number of aggregation used toindicate the slot structure uplink symbols configuration in theaggregation) for UCI 1 7 + 7 5 + 5 = 10 2 7 + 5 5 + 3 = 8 3 7 + 4 5 + 3= 8 4 7 + 5 + 5 5 + 3 + 3 = 11 5 7 + 5 + 4 5 + 3 + 3 = 11 6 5 + 5 + 53 + 3 + 3 = 9 7 5 + 5 + 4 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 8 5 + 4 + 4 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 9 4 +4 + 4 3 + 3 + 3 = 9

As show in Table 4, for index 1 of slot aggregation configuration, 7+7means that two slots 302 are aggregated, and each of the two slotsincludes 5 symbols for UCI, and thus total number of uplink symbols forUCI is 5+5=10. For index 2 of slot aggregation configuration, 7+5 meansthat slot 302 and slot 304 are aggregated, and slot 302 includes 5symbols for UCI and slot 304 includes 3 symbols for UCI, and thus totalnumber of uplink symbols for UCI is 5+3=8. Similar description may beapplied to each of the indices 2-9 of slot aggregation configuration,and thus the detailed description on the indices 3-9 of slot aggregationconfiguration is omitted here.

From Table 4, it can be observed that total number of uplink symbols forUCI may range from 8 to 11, which is equal to or greater than 8 as usedin the PUCCH format 1/1a/1b of LTE. In other words, the slots areaggregated to support at least around 8 uplink symbols for carrying UCI,for providing at least the same or similar performance as PUCCH format1/1a/1b for LTE. As such, the aggregation method according to theembodiment of the present disclosure can support about the same numberof UCI as that in LTE PUCCH format 1/1a/1b.

It is to be noted that the aggregation configurations shown in Table 4are only examples and actual aggregation configuration is not limited tothe aggregation configurations shown in Table 4, and that more or lessof slots 302-306 may aggregated in another way, as long as the totalnumber of uplink symbols for UCI can support about enough (e.g, 8 incase of NR PUCCH of format 1) symbols for UCI.

In Tables 2 and 4, it is shown that aggregated number of UCI sometimesis up to 12. The main consideration for that is sometimes the longformat PUCCH may have collision with short PUCCHs, which are transmittedat the last 1 or 2 symbols of the slot. If Time Division Multiplex (TDM)manner is used to avoid such conflict, the long PUCCH may be shortenedin that slot. As a result, there will be less uplink symbols in thatslot for UCI of the long format PUCCH. The total number of symbols forUCI listed in the last columns of Tables 2 and does not consider thissituation and therefore more symbols may be needed to compensate thisloss.

In an embodiment, the same slot aggregation configuration may includethe same sets of slots aggregated in different order in time. Forexample, aggregation of slots 7/5/4 in time (meaning aggregation ofthree slots with 7/5/4 uplink symbols respectively in time) may besignaled using the same indication for aggregation of slots 7/4/5 intime as it just indicates the total aggregated symbols for UCI. Theinformation of each slot structure in time may be obtained from othersources such as common control channel transmitted at the beginning ofthe slot.

In an embodiment, the slot aggregation configuration may be indicated byonly the total number of aggregated symbols for UCI and the total numberof aggregated slots, and may leave the slot structure of each slot to beindicated by the common control channel.

For example, the slot aggregation combinations as shown in Tables 2 and4 may be simplified to Tables 5 and 6 respectively.

The 2nd column in Table 5 or 6 shows the slot aggregation combinations(similar to those in Table 2 or 4) and number of aggregated slot (ineach of the brackets). When such configuration/indications is/arereceived by a UE, the UE will know how many slots may be aggregated toform a long format PUCCH and number of aggregated symbols that willcarry UCI. Then, the UE may obtain structure of each slot from othersource. For example, the UE may decode the common control channel ofeach slot to obtain the slot structure information and thus the exactnumber/start of PUCCH symbols in each slot.

Table 5 shows simplified slot aggregation configurations correspondingto the slot aggregation configurations in Table 2.

TABLE 5 Index of slot Total number of aggregation Slot aggregationcombinations aggregated uplink configuration (number of aggregated slot)symbols for UCI 1 7 + 5 (2), 5 + 4 + 4 (3) 7 2 7 + 7 (2), 7 + 4 + 4 (3),5 + 5 + 4(3), 8 4 + 4 + 4 + 4(4) 3 7 + 5 + 4(3), 5 + 5 + 5(3), 9 5 + 4 +4 + 4(4) 4 7 + 4 + 4 + 4(4), 5 + 5 + 4 + 4(4) 10 5 7 + 5 + 4 + 4(4) 11

In the example shown in Table 5, for index 1 of slot aggregationconfiguration, a gNB may signal “2” in the brackets in the second columnand “7” in the third column to the UE, and accordingly the UE will knowthat there are 2 slots will be aggregated and the total number ofaggregated uplink symbols for UCI is 7. Or, a gNB may signal “3” in thebrackets in the second column and “7” in the third column to the UE, andaccordingly the UE will know that there are 3 slots will be aggregatedand the total number of aggregated uplink symbols for UCI is 7. Then,the UE may obtain structure of each slot from other source. For example,the UE may decode the common control channel of each slot to obtain theslot structure information and thus the exact number/start of PUCCHsymbols in each slot. Similar description may be applied to the indices2-5 in Table 5, and will not be elaborated here.

Table 6 shows simplified slot aggregation configurations correspondingto the slot aggregation configurations in Table 4.

TABLE 6 Index of Slot Total aggregated aggregation Slot aggregationcombinations uplink symbols configuration (number of aggregated slot)for UCI 1 7 + 5(2), 7 + 4(2) 8 2 5 + 5 + 5(3), 5 + 5 + 4(3), 9 5 + 4 +4(3), 4 + 4 + 4(3) 3 7 + 7(2) 10 4 7 + 5 + 5(3), 7 + 5 + 4(3) 11

In the example shown in Table 6, for index 1 of slot aggregationconfiguration, a gNB may signal “2” in the brackets in the second columnand “8” in the third column to the UE, and accordingly the UE will knowthat there are 2 slots will be aggregated and the total number ofaggregated uplink symbols for UCI is 8. Then, the UE may obtainstructure of each slot from other source. For example, the UE may decodethe common control channel of each slot to obtain the slot structureinformation and thus the exact number/start of PUCCH symbols in eachslot. It is to be noted that, for index 1 of slot aggregationconfiguration, the slot aggregation combination of “7+5” and the slotaggregation combination “7+4” both may be signaled from the gNB to theUE by using “2” and “8”. In such as case, when slot structureinformation is obtained by the UE, the UE will selects one of the slotaggregation combination of “7+5” and the slot aggregation combination“7+4” to perform slot aggregation, for example, according to apredetermined selection rule which is pre-configured in the UE. Similardescription may be applied to the indices 2-4 in Table 6, and will notbe elaborated here.

As described above, in addition to NR PUCCH of format 1, other types ofPUCCH formats also need to be supported which may carry more payloadthan 1-2 bits. For example, a NR PUCCH of format 2 may be defined. TheNR PUCCH of format 2 may carry a payload of about 20 coded bits. Thecontent may be Ack/Nack for multiple codewords and/or other types of UCIsuch as CSI. For LTE PUCCH format 1/1a/1b, 10 symbols are used to carryUCI and 4 symbols are used to carry RS. Therefore, to match that, the NRPUCCH of format 2 supports about 10 symbols for carrying UCI.

Since the NR PUCCH of format 2 supports more symbols for carrying UCIcompared with the NR PUCCH of format 1, more slots, or slots with moresymbols for carrying UCI may be aggregated.

Table 7 shows an example of slot aggregation combination for NR PUCCH offormat 2 when the slots shown in FIG. 3 are adopted.

TABLE 7 Index of slot Total number of aggregation uplink symbolsconfiguration Slot aggregation combination for UCI 1 7 + 7 5 + 5 = 10 27 + 7 + 5 5 + 5 + 3 = 13 3 7 + 7 + 4 5 + 5 + 3 = 13 4 7 + 5 + 5 5 + 3 +3 = 11 5 7 + 5 + 4 5 + 3 + 3 = 11 6 4 slots aggregation of 5 or 4 3 +3 + 3 + 3 = 12

As shown in Table 7, for index 1 of slot aggregation configuration, 7+7as shown in the second column means that two slots 302 as shown in FIG.3 are aggregated, and each of the two slots includes 5 symbols for UCI,and thus total number of uplink symbols for UCI is 5+5=10 as shown inthe third column. For index 2 of slot aggregation configuration, 7+7+5as shown in the second column means that three slots, including twoslots 302 and one slot 304 as shown in FIG. 3 , are aggregated, and slot302 includes 5 symbols for UCI and slot 304 includes 3 symbols for UCI,and thus total number of uplink symbols for UCI is 5+5+3=13 as shown inthe third column. Similar description may be applied to each of theindices 2-6 of slot aggregation configuration, and detailed descriptionon the indices 3-6 of the slot aggregation configuration is omittedhere. From Table 7, it can be observed that total number of uplinksymbols for UCI may range from 10 to 12, which is close to 10 as used inthe PUCCH format 1/1a/1b of LTE. As such, the aggregation methodaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure can support aboutthe same number of UCI as that in LTE PUCCH format 1/1a/1b.

Table 8 shows simplified slot aggregation configurations correspondingto the slot aggregation configurations in Table 7.

TABLE 8 Index of slot Total number of aggregation Slot aggregationcombination aggregated uplink configuration (number of aggregated slot)symbols for UCI 1 7 + 7(2) 10 2 7 + 5 + 5(3), 7 + 5 + 4(3) 11 3 Anycombination of 5 or 4(4) 12 4 7 + 7 + 5(3), 7 + 7 + 4(3) 13

As shown in Table 8, total number of aggregated symbols for UCI as shownin the third column and number of aggregated slots as shown in thesecond column in brackets may be signaled to the UE while leaving theslot structure indicated to a UE by other sources such as common controlchannel. As the NR PUCCH of format 2 requires 10 symbols to carry, whenthe total number of aggregated symbols for UCI is larger than that, oneor a number of the 10 symbols may be repeated in the aggregated slots,thus improve the performance.

Aggregation of a set of slots as shown in FIG. 2 or 3 has been describedabove with reference to Tables 1-8. Aggregation of a set of slots mayimprove both time domain diversity and power boosting among slots.However, sometimes, when each slot does not contain enough uplinksymbols, more slots needs to be aggregated and that may cause longerlatency. One alternative is to use more resources (e.g., PRBs) in thesame slot to transmit PUCCH. Aggregation of a set of PRBs in a singleslot as shown in FIG. 4 will be described below. Aggregation of a set ofPRBs in a single slot may not benefit from power boosting among slots,but may improve frequency domain diversity.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating PRBs in a single slot forcarrying long format PUCCH according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4 , slot 402 includes at least PRB 402A and PRB 402B,and slot 404 includes at least PRB 404A, PRB 404B, PRB 404C and PRB404D. In slot 402, there are 2 symbols for carrying RS, and 5 symbolsfor carrying UCI. In slot 404, there are 2 symbols for RS, 3 symbols forUCI, 1 symbol for downlink and 1 symbol for switching period.

For example, the PRBs 402A and 402B are located in the same slot 402,and may be aggregated to support 10 symbols for carrying UCI, such thata long PUCCH, for example, NR PUCCH of format 1 or NR PUCCH of format 2,can be supported by the aggregated PRBs in the same slot.

Similarly, the PRBs 404A, 404B, 404C and 404D are located in the sameslot 404, and two or more of the PRBs 404A, 404B, 404C and 404D may beaggregated to support enough symbols for carrying UCI. In case of NRPUCCH of format 1, for example, three PRBs (e.g., PRBs 404A, 404B and404C) located in slot 404 may be aggregated to support 9 symbols forcarrying UCI. In case of NR PUCCH of format 2, for example, four PRBs404A, 404B, 404C and 404D located in slot 404 may be aggregated tosupport 12 symbols for carrying UCI.

It is to be noted that NR PUCCH of format 1 or NR PUCCH of format 2 areonly examples, and similar principle may be applied to other PUCCHformats with larger payload.

It is also to be noted that the total number of PRBs to be aggregated inthe same slot is not limited to the above examples, and may take othervalue depending on a specific long format PUCCH and the total number ofsymbols in a slot for carrying UCI.

Aggregation of a set of PRBs in a single slot as shown in FIG. 4 hasbeen described above. Alternatively, aggregation of a set of PRBs acrossat least two slots may be performed. In other words, the formation oflong format PUCCH to accommodate PUCCH format with large payloads mayuse resources in both time and frequency.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating PRBs across slots for carryinglong format PUCCH according to another embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5 , slot 502 includes at least PRBs 502A and PRBs 502B,and slot 504 includes at least PRB 504A and PRB 504B. In each of slot502 and slot 504, there are 1 symbol for downlink, 1 symbol forswitching period, 2 symbols for RS, 3 symbols for UCI. In other words,slot 502 has the same structure as that of slot 504.

In case of NR PUCCH of format 1, three of PRB 502A and PRB 502B locatedin slot 502 and PRB 504A and PRB 504B located in slot 504 may beaggregated to support 9 symbols for carrying UCI.

In case of NR PUCCH of format 2, all of PRB 502A and PRB 502B located inslot 502 and PRB 504A and PRB 504B located in slot 504 may be aggregatedto support 12 symbols for carrying UCI.

It is to be noted that NR PUCCH of format 1 or NR PUCCH of format 2 areonly examples, and similar principle may be applied to other PUCCHformats with larger payload.

It is also to be noted that the total number of PRBs to be aggregated isnot limited to the above examples, and may take other value depending ona specific long format PUCCH and the total number of symbols in a slotfor carrying UCI.

In the example shown in FIG. 5 , enough symbols may be aggregated inboth time domain and frequency domain for UCI, such that time diversity,frequency diversity and other gains such as power boosting may beimproved.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating PRBs across slots for carryinglong format PUCCH according to another embodiment. The embodiment shownin FIG. 6 differs from the embodiment in FIG. 5 in that structure ofslot 602 is different from structure of slot 604, while structure ofslot 502 is the same as the structure of slot 504.

Two or more of PRBs 602A and 602B located in slot 602 and PRBs 604A and604B may be aggregated to support long format PUCCH such as NR PUCCH offormat 1 or NR PUCCH of format 2.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating PRBs across slots for carryinglong format PUCCH according to another embodiment.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 differs from the embodiment in FIG. 6 inthat only one PRB 702B is shown in slot 702. In other words, FIG. 7illustrates an extreme case where one PRB 702A is allocated to longformat PUCCH with 7 symbols in one slot 702, which is followed by twoPRBs allocated for long format PUCCH with 5 symbols in the next slot704. Together they are used to form the resources for support forexample one NR PUCCH of format 2. In such a case, the UE may allocatethe same level of power to each PRB in each slot even the total numberof PRBs allocated in each slot are not the same. This will guarantee thesimilar coverage for UCI.

Since either of FIGS. 6 and 7 is similar to FIG. 5 , only differencesare described above, and detailed description are omitted here.

The aggregation method carried out in the gNB side has been describedwith reference to FIGS. 1-7 . Now the aggregation method carried out inthe UE side will be described below with reference to FIG. 8 .

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an aggregation method carried out ina UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 8 , the aggregation method carried out in the UE includes thefollowing operations.

In block S802, a UE receives information on at least part of aggregationconfiguration of one of a set of slots, a set of PRBs in a single slot,and a set of PRBs across at least two slots from a gNB.

In block S804, the UE aggregates the one of the set of slots, the set ofPRBs in a single slot, and the set of PRBs across at least two slotsaccording to the aggregation configuration.

In block S 806, the UE sends a long format PUCCH to the gNB via theaggregated one of the set of slots, the set of PRBs in a single slot,and set of PRBs across at least two slots.

When the long format PUCCH supports 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequencyresources for carrying UCI, one of the set of slots, the set of PRBs ina single slot, and the a set of PRBs across at least two slots may beaggregated to support about 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequency resources forcarrying UCI, where N is a positive integer.

When a set of slots is aggregated for carrying the long format PUCCH, inblock S802, the UE may receive information of at least one of the totalnumber of slots to be aggregated, structure of each slot to beaggregated, and total number of symbols to be aggregated for carryingUCI from the gNB.

In an embodiment, the UE may receive the total number of slots to beaggregated and the total number of symbols to be aggregated for carryingUCI, and then the UE may receive the structure of each slot to beaggregated via a common control channel from the gNB.

In another embodiment, the UE may receive the total number of slots tobe aggregated and the structure of each slot to be aggregated. FIG. 8Bis a flow chart illustrating an aggregation method carried out in a UEaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure in case wherethe UE may receive the total number of slots to be aggregated and thestructure of each slot to be aggregated.

As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the aggregation method may include thefollowing operations

In block S802′, the UE may obtain information on at least one of: atotal number of slots to be aggregated for carrying UCI, and a structureof each slot.

In block S804′, the UE may aggregate a plurality of slots according tothe information on the at least one of the total number of slots to beaggregated and the structure of each slot.

In block S806′, the UE may sends PUCCH to a gNB via the aggregatedslots.

In the embodiment, the UE may further obtain information on the firstslot of the slots to be aggregated. In such case, the UE may aggregate aplurality of slots according to the information on the at least one ofthe total number of slots to be aggregated, the structure of each slot,and the information on the first slot of the slots to be aggregated.

In an embodiment, the UE may obtain the total number of slots to beaggregated from a gNB.

In an embodiment, the UE may obtain the structure of each slot to beaggregated from a gNB. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the UE mayobtain the structure of each slot to be aggregated according to aprotocol.

In an embodiment, the plurality of slots are aggregated by aggregatingone or more PRBs of each slot. In an embodiment, the one or more PRBsare positioned in a same manner in the slots. Alternatively, in anembodiment, the one or more PRBs are positioned in different manners inthe slots.

In an embodiment, the PUCCH is long format PUCCH. In an embodiment, whenthe long format PUCCH supports 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequency resourcesfor carrying UCI, the plurality of slots are aggregated to support about1 PRB×N symbols time-frequency resources for carrying UCI, where N is apositive integer.

When a set of PRBs in a single slot is aggregated for carrying the longformat PUCCH, in block S802, the UE may receive information of at leastone of the total number of PRBs to be aggregated in the single slot,location of each of PRBs to be aggregated in the single slot, and totalnumber of symbols to be aggregated for carrying UCI from the gNB.

When a set of PRBs across at least two slots is aggregated for carryingthe long format PUCCH, in block S802, the UE may receive information ofat least one of the total number of slots to be aggregated, structure ofeach slot to be aggregated, the total number of PRBs to be aggregated ineach slot, location of each of PRBs to be aggregated in each slot, andtotal number of symbols to be aggregated for carrying UCI from the gNB.

In an embodiment, the UE may receive an index of a look-up table,wherein the look-up table is pre-configured in the UE or sent to the UEvia signaling of a higher layer and contains aggregation configurationsand their respective indices from the gNB. In such a case, before blockS804, the UE may retrieve aggregation configuration from the look-uptable according to the index received from the gNB.

In an embodiment, in block S802, the UE may receive information on atleast part of aggregation configuration of one of a set of slots, a setof PRBs in a single slot, and a set of PRBs across at least two slotsfrom the gNB dynamically via lower layer signaling, semi-statically viacombination of higher layer signaling, or via a combination of lowerlayer signaling and higher layer signaling.

Since details of the aggregation method have been described withreference to FIGS. 1-7 , details descriptions of the aggregation methodcarried out in the UE are omitted here. Where appropriate, the same orsimilar descriptions made with reference to FIGS. 1-7 may also apply tothe embodiment of FIG. 8 .

The technical solutions provided in the present disclosure may achievethe following beneficial effects. According to some embodiments of thepresent disclosure, a UE obtains information on at least one of: a totalnumber of slots to be aggregated for carrying UCI, and a structure ofeach slot; the UE aggregates a plurality of slots according to theinformation on the at least one of the total number of slots to beaggregated and the structure of each slot; and the UE sends PUCCH to agNB via the aggregated slots. As such, the aggregation method mayachieve at least the same coverage of PUCCH as compared with LTE.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure of an aggregation methodcarried out in a gNB and a UE, which interact with each other, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the aggregation method is carried out in a gNB anda UE, which interact with each other. The aggregation method includesthe following operations.

In block S902, the gNB signals information on at least part ofaggregation configuration of one of a set of slots, a set of PRBs in asingle slot, and a set of PRBs across at least two slots to a UE.

In block S904, the UE aggregates the one of the set of slots, the set ofPRBs in a single slot, and the set of PRBs across at least two slotsaccording to the aggregation configuration.

In block S906, the UE sends a long format PUCCH to the gNB via theaggregated one of the set of slots, the set of PRBs in a single slot,and set of PRBs across at least two slots.

Since details of the aggregation method carried out in a gNB have beendescribed with reference to FIGS. 1-7 , and details of the aggregationmethod carried out in a UE have been described with reference to FIG. 8, the details descriptions of the aggregation method of FIG. 9 areomitted here. Where appropriate, the same or similar descriptions madewith reference to FIGS. 1-8 may also apply to the embodiment of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating configuration of a gNB 1000according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As show in FIG. 10 , the gNB 1000 includes a signaling module 1002 andan obtaining module 1004.

The signaling module 1002 may be configured to signal information on atleast part of aggregation configuration of one of a set of slots, a setof PRBs in a single slot, and a set of PRBs across at least two slots toa UE.

The obtaining module 1004 may be configured to receive a long formatPUCCH carried in the one of the set of slots, the set of PRBs in asingle slot, and the set of PRBs across at least two slots, which isaggregated according to the aggregation configuration, from the UE.

The signaling module 1002 and the obtaining module 1004 both may beimplemented by at least one processor in the gNB. The processor may beCentral Processing Unit (CPU), a Microprocessor Unit (MPU), a DigitalSignal Processor (DSP) or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

When the long format PUCCH supports 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequencyresources for carrying UCI, the one of the set of slots, the set of PRBsin a single slot, and the set of PRBs across at least two slots may beaggregated to support about 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequency resources forcarrying UCI, where N is a positive integer.

When a set of slots is aggregated for carrying the long format PUCCH,the signaling module 1002 may be configured to signal information of atleast one of the total number of slots to be aggregated, structure ofeach slot to be aggregated, and total number of symbols to be aggregatedfor carrying UCI to the UE.

In an embodiment, the signaling module 1002 may be configured to signalinformation on at least one of: a total number of slots to be aggregatedfor carrying UCI, and a structure of each slot to UE.

In an embodiment, the obtaining module 1004 may be configured to receivePUCCH from the UE via a plurality of slots aggregated according to theinformation on the at least one of the total number of slots to beaggregated and the structure of each slot.

In an embodiment, the signaling module 1002 may be further configured tosignal information on the first slot of the slots to be aggregated. Inan embodiment, the obtaining module 1004 may be configured to receivingPUCCH from the UE via a plurality of slots which are aggregatedaccording to the information on the at least one of the total number ofslots to be aggregated, the structure of each slot, and the informationon the first slot of the slots to be aggregated.

In an embodiment, the obtaining module 1004 may be configured to receivePUCCH from the UE via aggregated slots which are aggregated byaggregating a plurality of slots by aggregating one or more PRBs of eachslot. In an embodiment, the one or more PRBs may be positioned in a samemanner in the slots. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the one or morePRBs may be positioned in different manners in the slots.

In an embodiment, the PUCCH is long format PUCCH. Alternatively, thePUCCH may be not long format PUCCH.

In an embodiment, when the long format PUCCH supports 1 PRB×N symbolstime-frequency resources for carrying UCI, the plurality of slots areaggregated to support about 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequency resources forcarrying UCI, where N is a positive integer.

In an embodiment, the signaling module 1002 may be configured to signalthe total number of slots to be aggregated and the total number ofsymbols to be aggregated for carrying UCI to the UE. In such a case, thestructure of each slot to be aggregated is signaled to the UE via acommon control channel.

When a set of PRBs in a single slot is aggregated for carrying the longformat PUCCH, the signaling module 1002 may be configured to signalinformation of at least one of the total number of PRBs to be aggregatedin the single slot, location of each of PRBs to be aggregated in thesingle slot, and total number of symbols to be aggregated for carryingUCI to the UE.

When a set of PRBs across at least two slots is aggregated for carryingthe long format PUCCH, the signaling module 1002 may be configured tosignal information of at least one of the total number of slots to beaggregated, structure of each slot to be aggregated, the total number ofPRBs to be aggregated in each slot, location of each of PRBs to beaggregated in each slot, and total number of symbols to be aggregatedfor carrying UCI to the UE.

In an embodiment, the signaling module 1002 may be configured to signalan index of a look-up table to the UE, wherein the look-up table ispre-configured in the UE or sent to the UE via signaling of a higherlayer and contains aggregation configurations and their respectiveindices.

In an embodiment, the signaling module 1002 may be configured to signalinformation on at least part of aggregation configuration of one of aset of slots, a set of PRBs in a single slot, and a set of PRBs acrossat least two slots to a UE dynamically via lower layer signaling,semi-statically via combination of higher layer signaling, or via acombination of lower layer signaling and higher layer signaling.

Since details of the aggregation method have been described withreference to FIGS. 1-7 , details descriptions of the gNB are omittedhere. Where appropriate, the same or similar descriptions made withreference to FIGS. 1-7 may also apply to the embodiment of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating configuration of a UE 1100according to embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the UE 1100 includes an obtaining module 1102, anaggregation module 1104 and a sending module 1106.

The obtaining module 1102 may be configured to receive information on atleast part of aggregation configuration of one of a set of slots, a setof PRBs in a single slot, and a set of PRBs across at least two slotsfrom a gNB.

The aggregation module 1104 may be configured to aggregate the one ofthe set of slots, the set of PRBs in a single slot, and the set of PRBsacross at least two slots according to the aggregation configuration.

The obtaining module 1102, aggregation module 1104 and sending module1106 may be implemented by at least one processor in the UE. Theprocessor may be Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Microprocessor Unit(MPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or a Field Programmable GateArray (FPGA).

The sending module 1106 may be configured to send a long format PUCCH tothe gNB via the aggregated one of the set of slots, the set of PRBs in asingle slot, and set of PRBs across at least two slots.

When the long format PUCCH supports 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequencyresources for carrying UCI, one of the set of slots, the set of PRBs ina single slot, and the a set of PRBs across at least two slots may beaggregated to support about 1 PRB×N symbols time-frequency resources forcarrying UCI, where N is a positive integer.

When a set of slots is aggregated for carrying the long format PUCCH,the obtaining module 1102 may be configured to receive information of atleast one of the total number of slots to be aggregated, structure ofeach slot to be aggregated, and total number of symbols to be aggregatedfor carrying UCI from the gNB.

In an embodiment, the obtaining module 1102 may be configured to receivethe total number of slots to be aggregated and the total number ofsymbols to be aggregated for carrying UCI; and receive the structure ofeach slot to be aggregated via a common control channel from the gNB.

In an embodiment, the obtaining module 1102 may be configured to obtaininformation on at least one of a total number of slots to be aggregatedfor carrying UCI, and a structure of each slot. In such case, theaggregating module 1104 may be configured to aggregate a plurality ofslots according to the information on the at least one of the totalnumber of slots to be aggregated and the structure of each slot.Accordingly, the sending module 1106 may be configured to send PUCCH toa gNB via the aggregated slots.

In an embodiment, the obtaining module 1102 may be further configured toobtain information on the first slot of the slots to be aggregated. Insuch case, the aggregating module 1104 may be configured to aggregate aplurality of slots according to the information on the at least one ofthe total number of slots to be aggregated, the structure of each slot,and the information on the first slot of the slots to be aggregated.

In an embodiment, the obtaining module 1102 may be configured to obtainthe total number of slots to be aggregated from a gNB.

In an embodiment, the obtaining module 1102 may be configured to obtainthe structure of each slot to be aggregated from a gNB. Alternatively,in an embodiment, the obtaining module 1102 may be configured to obtainthe structure of each slot to be aggregated according to a protocol.

In an embodiment, the aggregating module 1104 may be configured toaggregate a plurality of slots by aggregating one or more PRBs of eachslot, the one or more PRBs being positioned in a same manner in theslots.

In an embodiment, the aggregating module 1104 may be configured toaggregate a plurality of slots by aggregating one or more PRBs of eachslot, the one or more PRBs being positioned in different manners in theslots.

In an embodiment, the PUCCH may be long format PUCCH. Alternatively, thePUCCH may be not long format PUCCH.

When a set of PRBs in a single slot is aggregated for carrying the longformat PUCCH, the obtaining module 1102 may be configured to receiveinformation of at least one of the total number of PRBs to be aggregatedin the single slot, location of each of PRBs to be aggregated in thesingle slot, and total number of symbols to be aggregated for carryingUCI from the gNB.

When a set of PRBs across at least two slots is aggregated for carryingthe long format PUCCH, the obtaining module 1102 may be configured toreceive information of at least one of the total number of slots to beaggregated, structure of each slot to be aggregated, the total number ofPRBs to be aggregated in each slot, location of each of PRBs to beaggregated in each slot, and total number of symbols to be aggregatedfor carrying UCI from the gNB.

In an embodiment, the obtaining module 1102 may be configured to receivean index of a look-up table, wherein the look-up table is pre-configuredin the UE or sent to the UE via signaling of a higher layer and containsaggregation configurations and their respective indices from the gNB.The obtaining module 1102 may be further configured retrieve aggregationconfiguration from the look-up table according to the index receivedfrom the gNB.

In an embodiment, the obtaining module 1102 may be configured to receiveinformation on at least part of aggregation configuration of one of aset of slots, a set of PRBs in a single slot, and a set of PRBs acrossat least two slots from the gNB dynamically via lower layer signaling,semi-statically via combination of higher layer signaling, or via acombination of lower layer signaling and higher layer signaling.

Since details of the aggregation method have been described withreference to FIGS. 1-8 , details descriptions of the UE are omittedhere. Where appropriate, the same or similar descriptions made withreference to FIGS. 1-8 may also apply to the embodiment of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating structure of a UE accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the UE 1200 may be a mobile phone, a computer, adigital broadcast terminal, a messaging device, a tablet, a personaldigital assistant or the like.

The device 1200 may include one or more of the following components: aprocessing component 1202, a memory 1204, a power component 1206, amultimedia component 1208, an audio component 1210, an Input/Output(I/O) interface 1212, a sensor component 1214, and a communicationcomponent 1216.

The processing component 1202 typically controls overall operations ofthe device 1200, such as the operations associated with display,telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recordingoperations. The processing component 1202 may include one or moreprocessors 1220 to execute instructions to perform all or part of theoperations in the abovementioned method. Moreover, the processingcomponent 1202 may include one or more modules which facilitateinteraction between the processing component 1202 and the othercomponents. For instance, the processing component 1202 may include amultimedia module to facilitate interaction between the multimediacomponent 1208 and the processing component 1202.

The memory 1204 is configured to store various types of data to supportthe operation of the device 1200. Examples of such data includeinstructions for any application programs or methods operated on thedevice 1200, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, video,etc. The memory 1204 may be implemented by any type of volatile ornon-volatile memory devices, or a combination thereof, such as a StaticRandom Access Memory (SRAM), an Electrically Erasable ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EEPROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory(EPROM), a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), a Read-Only Memory(ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, and a magnetic or opticaldisk.

The power component 1206 provides power for various components of thedevice 1200. The power component 1206 may include a power managementsystem, one or more power supplies, and other components associated withthe generation, management and distribution of power for the device1200.

The multimedia component 1208 includes a screen providing an outputinterface between the device 1200 and a user. In some embodiments, thescreen may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Touch Panel(TP). If the screen includes the TP, the screen may be implemented as atouch screen to receive an input signal from the user. The TP includesone or more touch sensors to sense touches, swipes and gestures on theTP. The touch sensors may not only sense a boundary of a touch or swipeaction, but also sense a duration and pressure associated with the touchor swipe action. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 1208includes a front camera and/or a rear camera. The front camera and/orthe rear camera may receive external multimedia data when the device1200 is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode or a videomode. Each of the front camera and the rear camera may be a fixedoptical lens system or have focusing and optical zooming capabilities.

The audio component 1210 is configured to output and/or input an audiosignal. For example, the audio component 1210 includes a Microphone(MIC), and the MIC is configured to receive an external audio signalwhen the device 1200 is in the operation mode, such as a call mode, arecording mode and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signalmay be further stored in the memory 1204 or sent through thecommunication component 1216. In some embodiments, the audio component1210 further includes a speaker configured to output the audio signal.

The I/O interface 1212 provides an interface between the processingcomponent 1202 and a peripheral interface module, and the peripheralinterface module may be a keyboard, a click wheel, a button and thelike. The button may include, but not limited to: a home button, avolume button, a starting button and a locking button.

The sensor component 1214 includes one or more sensors configured toprovide status assessment in various aspects for the device 1200. Forinstance, the sensor component 1214 may detect an on/off status of thedevice 1200 and relative positioning of components, such as a displayand small keyboard of the device 1200, and the sensor component 1214 mayfurther detect a change in a position of the device 1200 or a componentof the device 1200, presence or absence of contact between the user andthe device 1200, orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the device1200 and a change in temperature of the device 1200. The sensorcomponent 1214 may include a proximity sensor configured to detectpresence of an object nearby without any physical contact. The sensorcomponent 1214 may also include a light sensor, such as a ComplementaryMetal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) or Charge Coupled Device (CCD) imagesensor, configured for use in an imaging application. In someembodiments, the sensor component 1214 may also include an accelerationsensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor or atemperature sensor.

The communication component 1216 is configured to facilitate wired orwireless communication between the device 1200 and another device. Thedevice 1200 may access a communication-standard-based wireless network,such as a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a 2nd-Generation (2G),3rd-Generation (3G) or 4th-Generation (4G) network or a combinationthereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 1216receives a broadcast signal or broadcast associated information from anexternal broadcast management system through a broadcast channel. In anexemplary embodiment, the communication component 1216 further includesa Near Field Communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-rangecommunication. For example, the NFC module may be implemented on thebasis of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, an InfraredData Association (IrDA) technology, an Ultra-WideBand (UWB) technology,a BlueTooth (BT) technology and another technology.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device 1200 may be implemented by one ormore Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital SignalProcessors (DSPs), Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs),Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), controllers, micro -controllers, microprocessors or otherelectronic components, and is configured to execute the abovementionedmethod.

In an exemplary embodiment, there is also provided a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium including an instruction, such as thememory 1204 including an instruction, and the instruction may beexecuted by the processor 1220 of the device 1200 to implement theabovementioned method. For example, the non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium may be a ROM, a Radom Access Memory (RAM), a Compact DiscRead-Only Memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an opticaldata storage device and the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, there is also provided a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions,that when executed by a processor of a gNB, cause the processor toperform the aggregation method as described with reference to FIGS. 1-8.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practiceof the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure following thegeneral principles thereof and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice in theart. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered asexemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the present disclosurebeing indicated by the following claims.

It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to theexact construction that has been described above and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes may bemade without departing from the scope thereof. It is intended that thescope of the present disclosure only be limited by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gNodeB (gNB), comprising: a transceiverconfigured to receive physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) via aplurality of slots, the PUCCH occupying at least one physical resourceblock (PRB) within each of the plurality of slots, the plurality ofslots being determined based on a number of slots configured for atransmission of the PUCCH and a slot structure.
 2. The gNB of claim 1,wherein the transceiver is further configured to: send firstconfiguration information, the first configuration informationindicating a set of PRBs in a single slot.
 3. The gNB of claim 2,wherein the first configuration information further indicates a totalnumber of the PRBs and a location of the PRBs.
 4. The gNB of claim 1,wherein a set of PRBs for the transmission of the PUCCH within each ofthe plurality of slots are identical.
 5. The gNB of claim 1, wherein thetransceiver is further configured to: send second configurationinformation, the second configuration information indicating a firstslot for the transmission of the PUCCH.
 6. The gNB of claim 5, whereinthe plurality of slots are determined based on the first slot, thenumber of slots configured for the transmission of the PUCCH, and theslot structure.
 7. The gNB of claim 1, wherein the slot structure issent via a common control channel.
 8. The gNB of claim 1, wherein thePUCCH adopts PUCCH format
 1. 9. A user equipment (UE), comprising: atransceiver configured to send physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)via a plurality of slots, the PUCCH occupying at least one physicalresource block (PRB) within each of the plurality of slots, theplurality of slots being determined based on a number of slotsconfigured for a transmission of the PUCCH and a slot structure, whereinthe slot structure is sent via a common control channel.
 10. The UE ofclaim 9, wherein the transceiver is further configured to: receive firstconfiguration information, the first configuration informationindicating a set of PRBs in a single slot.
 11. The UE of claim 10,wherein the first configuration information further indicates a totalnumber of the PRBs and a location of the PRBs.
 12. The UE of claim 9,wherein a set of PRBs for the transmission of the PUCCH within each ofthe plurality of slots are identical.
 13. The UE of claim 9, wherein thetransceiver is further configured to: receive second configurationinformation, the second configuration information indicating a firstslot for the transmission of the PUCCH.
 14. The UE of claim 13, furthercomprising: a processor configured to determine the plurality of slotsbased on the first slot, the number of slots configured for thetransmission of the PUCCH and the slot structure.
 15. The UE of claim 9,wherein the PUCCH adopts PUCCH format 1.